Concrete form



April 7, 193 c. 1. WILLIAMS CONCRETE FORM Filed July 25, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 7, 1931. c. I. WILLIAMS CONCRETE FORM Filed July 25, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l W4 wage/I I April 3 c. l. WILLIAMS 1,799,269

CONCRETE FORM Filed July 25, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

CHESTER I WILLIAMS, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSjIGNOB OF ONE-HALF TO GOODSPEED INVESTMENT COMPANY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, A. CORPORA- f'rIoN or MICHIGAN I concn'nrn roam Application filed July 25, 1927. Serial No. 208,247. I

My invention relates to concrete forms and ting.

readily dismantled after the concrete has set and then employed again in another set- The invention has amen its other objects the production of concrete orms of the character described which are relatively simple in construction, reliable, economical and durable.

A particular object of the invention 1s to provide improved clamping devices whereby the concrete forms may be quickly and easlly secured to each other in their functional positions.

Another particular object of the invention is to provide improved clamping devices of the kmd described which may be readily removed from the forms without injury thereto.

Still another particular object of the invention is to provide improved devices of the kind described which may be quickly and easily adjusted from the outer sides of the forms when the distance between them 1s to be increased or decreased.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan section taken through concrete forms embodying the invention;

Fig.2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the forms shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section taken'on line 4-4 of Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on. line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section taken through a concrete form embod 'ng the invention and adapted to form a uttered wall; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section takBen through the concrete form illustrated in 1 Re erring for the present to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, I have illustrated one form of the invention embodied in concrete forms for producing a wall having substantially -vertical sides, but it will become apparent as this description progresses that the forms may be made of any desired shape to conform with thework being. molded or constructed.

In -the drawings, the reference character 10 designates concrete form boards. between which the concrete is poured, the form boards 10 being formed of any suitable material but generally comprising horizontally disposed wooden planks. Arranged against the outer surfaces of the form boards 10 are vertically disposed studs 11 which are preferably secured to the form boards by nails 12, or the equivalents, for the purpose. Detachably secured to the studding 11 are whaler members 14, the whaler members 14 being preferably positioned against the outer edges of the studding 11.

The means provided for detachably securing the whaler members 14 to the studding 11 alsofunctions to hold the form boards 10 in spaced relation. This means preferably comprises hooked clamps or bent rods 16 having substantially hook-shaped ends 17 engageable in apertures 19 provided in the studding 11. The shank ortions of the bent rods 16 preferably pass etween two of the whaler members 14, the whaler members being preferably arranged in airs, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Slida 1y journaledv upon each bent' rod 16 is a clamp or bearing plate member 20 engageable with the outer edges of the associated whaler members 14 and screw-threaded upon each bent rod is. a wing nut 22 which may be manipulated to urge the bearing plate 20 into engagement with the whaler members 14, the construction being such that when the plate 20 engages the whaler members, the whaler members are rigidly secured between the bearing plate 20 and the outer edges of the studding 11.

Positioned between the whaler members 14 and spaced from the bent rods 16 are whaler rods 28, the inner ends of which preferably extend through suitable apertures 30 provided in the form boards 10. An internally screw-threaded socket 31 provided in the inner end of each rod 28 is adapted to receive the screw-threaded end of a strut or spreader rod 34. It will be noted that the whaler rods 28 are coaxially disposed in pairs and that one spreader rod 34 is provided for each pair of whaler rods, the construction being such that the whaler rods may be screw-threaded upon the ends of the spreader rod to draw them toward each other. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the whaler rods 28 are preferably screw-threaded upon the spreader rod 34 until the ends of the spreader rod engage the bottom surfaces of the sockets 31 formed in the whaler rods. The whaler rods 28 are preferably provided with a plurality of spaced annular grooves 37 and 38. The purpose of this construction will presently appear.

Slidably journaled upon the outer end of each whaler rod 28 is a bracket or clamping member 39 engageable with the outer edges of the whaler members 14, the clamping member 39 being preferably held in engagement with the whaler members by a wing nut 40, or the equivalent, screw-threaded upon the whaler rod. I preferably provide the whaler rod with a hole 41 adapted to receive a nail 42, or the equivalent. Slidably mounted uponeach whaler rod 28 intermediate its inner end and the clamping member 39 is a clamping member 44 held in engagement with the inner edges of the associated whaler member 14 by a nut 45, or the equivalent, screw-threaded upon the whaler rod.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily understood that when the apparatus is assembled in the manner illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the bent rods 16 and the spreader rods 34 together with the whaler rods screw-threaded thereon will prevent displacement of the form boards 10 toward or away from each other, as the whaler rods are rigidly secured between the clamping members 39 and 44 and the form boards 10 together with the studding 11 are clamped to the whaler members by the bent rods 16.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, it will be noted that the clamp or bearing plate 20 is of sufiicient length to extend across a pair of associated whaler members 14, and that it is preferably formed with an apertured boss 20a through which the associated bent rod 16 extends. The construction of the clamping clamping members 39 and 44 are preferably of such length that they project beyond the Whaler members 14 when the whaler members are positioned in the manner illustrated in i Fig. 4, each clamping member 39 being preferably provided with a lug 47 adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the upper whaler member. In many instances, the lugs 47 are employed as rests for the lower whaler member of each pair, the clamping members 39 being positioned with the lugs 47 lowermost. Of course, the upper whaler member of each pair is supported by the whaler rods. As shown, the clamping members 39 and 44 are provided with apertured bosses 48 and 49, respectively, adapted to receive the associated whaler rod 28. The apertured boss 48 is provided with two angularly disposed surfaces 50 and 51 against which the wing nut 40 may rest and the apertured boss 49 is provided with two angular surfaces 53 and 54 against which the nut 45 may rest. This construction permits the whaler rods and the clamping members to be employed in the construction of battered walls as best illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a form board inclined to the vertical for forming a battered wall, studding 61 being secured to the outer surface of the form board by nails 63, or the equivalent. Projecting through the form board 60 are whaler rods 28, one ofwhich is shown in Fig. 7. The outer end of the whaler rod shown in Fig. 7 is positioned between a pair of whaler members 65 and the whaler rod is secured to the whaler members by the above described clamping members 39 and 44, a wing nut 40 bein provided for drawing the clamping mem er 39 against the whaler members and a nut 45 being provided for drawing the clamping member 44 against the whaler members. It will be noted that when the apparatus is assembled in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4, the nut 40 rests against the surface 50 provided upon the apertured lug 48 and that when the apparatus is assembled in the manner illustrated in Fig. 7. the nut 40 rests against the surface 51 provided upon the apertured boss 48. Like wise, it will be noted that when the apparatus is assembled in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4, the nut 45 engages the surface 53 of amazes I which extends to the op osite form board -(not shown) which may e disposed in any desired osition. Obviously, the spreader rod 34, as sl own in Fig. 7, may be connected to the other form board not shown) by apparatus identical to that y which it is secured to the form board 60.

Referring now to Fig. 8, wherein I have illustrated the manner in which the bent rods 16 are employed to clamp the Whaler mem bers to the studding 61, it will be noted that the bent rod shown in the figure is disposed substantially normal to the studding 11 and that it is unnecessary to modify the clamp or bearing plate 20 to permit its use in either of the embodiments of the invention illustr ted in the drawings. The hookshaped end 17 of the bent rods 16 engage apertures 67 provided on the studding 61.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 4, it will be noted that the annular grooves 38 provided in the Whaler rods 28 are aligned with the outer surfaces of the form boards 10. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the annular grooves 38 are so formed in the Whaler rods 28 that when the form boards are formed of lumber of standard thickness and when the form boards have been properly spaced from each other to produce a wall of predetermined thickness, the annular grooves 38 will be aligned with the outer surfaces of the form boards. However, if the form boards 10 are formed from thinner lumber of another standard thickness, the grooves 37 will be aligned with the outer surfaces thereof when the form boards are properly positioned with respect to each other to produce a wall of predetermined thickness. It will be readily understood, of course, that should metal form boards be used in place of the wooden form boards, the annular grooves provided in the Whaler rods 28 may be spaced suitable distances from the ends thereof to give the same results.

An important feature of my invention is that concrete forms embodying the invention may be quickly and easily adjusted from the outer sides thereof, it being unnecessary to have a man enter the space between the forms. This arrangement is particularly advantageous when the wall being formed is relatively thin. And it is also advantageous in that after the forms have been erected for the pouring operation, they may be quickly inspected by a foreman, or some other skilled person. Should it so happen that one or more portions of the forms bulged or that the distance bet-ween was less than desired, the nuts 45 and the wing nuts 40 may be manipulated to bring the properly aligned portions of the forms into correct positions. Of course, the nuts 40 and 45 may also be manipulated to decrease the distance between the forms.

Another feature of the invention is that the clamping apparatus may be handled and" transported as a plurality of assembled units. Thus, it is unnecessary to remove the clamping members 39 and 44 and the nuts 40 and 45 from the Whaler rods 28 and it is unnecessary to remove the wing nuts 32 and the clamps or bearing plates 20 from the bent ,rods 16. It may be mentioned that after the concrete has been poured and has set, the rods 34 may be left embedded in the concrete, if so desired, However, they may also be removed from the concrete, if, for any reason, it is desirable to do so. Of course, in the case of walls containing electrical conduits, it will often be necessary or, at least, desirable to remove the rods 34 to prevent short circuits or other electrical faults.

The form lumber, or the equivalent, may be readily removed from the concrete walls without injury thereto as the Whaler rods 28 and the bent rods 16 are first removed therefrom. If desired, the forms may be built in sections and moved from one job to another.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that varlous immaterial modlfications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a pluralit of oppositely disposed concrete form mem rs, of means extendin through the form mem bers for securing tiem a predetermined distance apart, and means cooperating with said last named means on the outside of said form members for increasing the distance between them, said last named meansbeing angularly adjustable relative to the means extending throu h the form members.

2. Kpparatus of the kind described, comprising a plurality of oppositely disposed form members, Whaler members, a rod disposed intermediate the form members, a plurality of rods screw-threaded upon the ends of the first mentioned rod and arranged to project through the form members, and a plurality of clamping members mounted upon each of said plurality of rods and engageable with the whal er members to secure members, a rod disposed intermediate the form members, a plurality of rods screw threaded upon the end of the first mentioned rod and arranged to project through the form members, and a pluralit of clamping members mounted upon each 0 said plurality of rods and engageable with the Whaler members to secure the rods to the Whaler members, said clamping members being angularly adjustable relative vto the rods upon which they are mounted.

In testimony wvhereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

CHESTER I. WILLIAMS. 

